WATERLOO - A veteran Cedar Falls jurist and two newcomers are among those up for a retention vote this year on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

District court judges are appointed by the governor, but have to pass a vote by the public to retain their positions. The votes occur after their first year on the bench and then every six years afterwards.

Four judges have been voted out since the process started in 1962. All of the 60 judges up for retention this year received a passing grade from the Iowa State Bar Association's 2008 Judicial Plebiscite.

District Judges Thomas Bower, Bradley Harris and Christopher Foy are on the ballot this year, along with a number of others who serve in surrounding counties. All judges received high marks from those surveyed, with each averaging between 90 and 97 percent in favor of retention.

Attorneys were asked to rate the judges on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. They were asked 12 questions about the judges' performance.

Here's a look at who is on the ballot this year from the area:

n Bower, a Cedar Falls native, was appointed to the bench in 1993 as a district associate judge. He was moved up to the district court bench in 1995. He received his law degree in 1987 from Drake University. He serves District 1B.

The Bar Association attorneys surveyed gave Bower 92 percent approval. All of his scores were in the 4s.

His highest marks were for his temperament in the courtroom, 4.55; how he treated attorneys and court personnel, 4.58; and how he treated others regardless of their race, ethnicity or gender, 4.58. His lowest marks were for his clarity and quality of written opinions, 4.1; promptness of rulings and decisions, 4.17; and knowledge or application of law, 4.17.

n Harris, a Grundy Center native, was appointed to the district court bench in 2007 to replace Judge K.D. Briner, who retired. He is a former Grundy County Attorney. Harris received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1980. He serves District 1B.

Attorneys who surveyed Harris gave him 96 percent approval. All of his scores were also in the 4s.

His highest marks were his punctuality for court proceedings, 4.59; how he treated attorneys and court personnel, 4.58; and how he treated others regardless of their race, ethnicity or gender, 4.59. His low marks were for his clarity and quality of written opinions, 4.19; knowledge or application of law, 4.32; and perception of factual issues, 4.33.

n Foy, of Waverly, also was appointed to the district court bench in 2007. Foy is a 1987 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law.

Foy received a 91 percent approval rating from the Bar Association attorneys surveyed. His scores were in the 3s and 4s.

His highest marks were for temperament and demeanor in the courtroom, 4.45; how he treated attorneys and court personnel, 4.60; and how he treated others regardless of their race, ethnicity or gender, 4.64. His low scores were for knowledge or application of law, 3.85; management and control of the courtroom, 3.88; and promptness of rulings and decisions, 3.85.

To find out which judges are up for retention votes this year and to read about their backgrounds, visit the Iowa Judiciary's election guide at www.iowacourts.gov/wfdata/files.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.